Trump’s threats to annex Canada, Greenland and Panama Canal are outrageous, ridiculous | Opinion
Annexation threats
Why is it acceptable for a president-elect to threaten imperialistic annexation of Canada, Greenland, and the Panama Canal? The U.S. has no right to invade or take control of the property of a sovereign country by military force OR by the force of economic manipulation.
According to the United Nations charter, “All members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state…” Does this not apply to the threats being made by our president-elect? Even if it is not a violation of the U. N. charter or international law, to make such threats, whether intentional strategy or bad-mouth bluster, is an outrageous offense against our allies, peace-loving friends, and good neighbors. Would any president of sound mind do such a thing?
It seems to me that Congress has the responsibility to protect the integrity of our country by putting an end to Trump’s heinous behavior. Amendment 25 exists for such a time as this. Congress needs to invoke it!
Beverly C. Johnson-Miller, Lexington
Cabinet nominees
Dear U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), I am very concerned about several people whom Trump has appointed for Cabinet position. He has selected them for their loyalty to him, not their experience or competence: Kash Patel for FBI director; Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary; Tulsi Gabbard for National Intelligence Director; Russell Vought for OMB Director; Robert Kennedy Jr. for Secretary of Health and Human Services.
I see you and other moderate Republicans as the only guardrails to oppose these unqualified people and maintain our democracy. You aren’t running for re-election again, and unlike people like U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), you can’t be blackmailed to support Trump’s nominees with the threat of a more conservative primary opponent to run against you.
In addition, opposing these nominees is a way to stake out your legacy following your decision not to convict Trump after his 2nd impeachment. If a few of you moderate Republicans had voted to convict Trump, we could have someone like Nikki Haley ready to be inaugurated instead!
Please vote your loyalty to the US Constitution rather than your party loyalty!
Jeanette D Coufal, Lexington
Presidential policies
When Iran cut oil production in 1979 and caused gas lines in the United States for a second time, President Jimmy Carter did the smart thing. He turned down the thermostat in the White House, put solar panels on the roof, and encouraged Americans to conserve energy. That made me hopeful for the future.
Unfortunately, in the 1980 presidential election Ronald Reagan’s campaign slogan was “Let’s Make America Great Again,” meaning Americans shouldn’t have to conserve energy. Those Iranians realized Reagan would be good for the oil business while Carter would be bad, so they held the hostages in the U.S. Embassy for 444 days until Reagan’s inauguration day to tip the election in his favor. Then Reagan turned up the White House thermostat and took down the solar panels, ushering in the era of the SUV and speeding up the onset of global warming, leading directly to this year of catastrophic rainstorms and floods all over the world.
Kevin Kline, Lexington
“Blue Party” policies
The height of foreign policy error achieved by the Blue party is Biden’s order to withdraw the American military from Afghanistan, a decision that removed a cornerstone of world peace. The absence of a logical hold on real-time reality within the Blue party confirmed to world players a weakness in Blue party leadership, a correct reckoning leading to the Russian attack on Ukraine and Iran’s opportunistic attack on Israel by proxy.
Domestically, Blue party politicians are trapped by ideology and disregard the legitimacy of the Electoral College in upholding the voting input of every state’s population in line with American federalism. In California, the concentrated release of pollutants by the burning of Los Angeles is foreknowable by considering the policy of California’s progressive Blue governor. That governor diverts and discharges water into the Pacific rather than collect that God given resource for use by a needy Southern California.
For the Blue party to blame climate change as the cause for the destruction of LA by fire will clearly demonstrate Blue party arrogance and disinterest in the everyday security of the American people. Rejection of the Blue party line is not only sane, but a move to survive.
Gary Ward, Lexington
Teacher pay
When I retired from the U.S. Navy in 1989, I intended to teach high school Chemistry, but the teacher certification courses convinced me to do something else. I went to work for as an Industrial Hygienist, and I loved my job and my career. If I worked overtime, I got comp time. I did not have to inform my supervisor every day as to what I was doing, or how I was going to conduct an inspection. My supervisor had my back. The work was challenging, and I was respected as a professional. Employers could not call and have the inspection fudged a bit. They could not call someone who would lean on the supervisor or manager. Yeah, I can see why teachers need more pay.
Bennie G. Patton, Berea
Legislative session
While the world watches as a convicted felon prepares to take office, we here in Kentucky have to witness the legislative clowns waste our money on stupid bills. Like, Rep. Josh Calloway and his forgettable HB 64, the “Conversion Treatment Bill.” His bill reminds me of a statement made by Abraham Lincoln, “Whenever I hear someone extolling the benefits of slavery, I am inclined to see it tried on him.” I wonder if Mr. Calloway would personally enjoy “Conversion Treatment”?
As an insulting encore, Calloway introduced HB 65 which would demand the posting of the 10 Commandments in school classrooms. Why? Mr. Calloway says, “These 10 ethical and religious rules were the fundamental code of Western Civilization and the US Constitution.”
Nonsense. Which Commandments shall you choose? “An eye for an eye? Or the one about killing witches? Moses came down with 70 commandments (see Ex 32:15). The framers of the Constitution hated organized religion and wanted nothing to do with imposing any beliefs on anybody. Western Civilization has ignored all of the Commandments except “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil,”(Ex 23:2) like the current legislature.
Damian Beach, Frankfort
Snow removal
I have seen several stories on Lexington news about parents being frustrated that Fayette schools have not reopened. It seems to me their frustrations should be directed at Mayor Linda Gorton who hasn’t managed to clear the roads a week and a half after the winter storm. Complete incompetence!
William Riffe, Lancaster
Edited by Liz Carey